Ruins Near Cruise Port Belize: Altun Ha Or Lamanai?

Belize City Cruise Port is a tender port, meaning ships anchor off the coast and transfer passengers to the port via a tender boat. The closest ruin to the cruise port is the Museum of Belize, a former prison that now serves as an art and history museum. The Altun Ha Mayan Temple is also close by, located 32.9 miles (53 km) from the cruise port. Other Mayan ruins, such as the Xunantunich Mayan Ruins and Lamanai Mayan Ruins, are located further away, at 77.8 miles (125 km) and 78.1 miles (126 km) respectively.

The Museum of Belize

The museum is a short distance from the cruise port, just 0.9 miles (1.7 km) away. It is situated in a safe area of the city centre, with street parking available for visitors with vehicles. The entry fee is reasonable, and the museum can be explored in around 1-2 hours. The Museum of Belize provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the nation's history and culture, with exhibits spanning from prehistoric times to the present.

The building's history as a prison is evident, with cells still intact and some informative displays about the prison's past. The museum covers a range of themes, including history, art, ecology, and archaeology. While the Mayan artefacts are limited, the displays provide valuable insights into the Mayan legacy. The museum also features a rotating temporary exhibit, with a recent focus on the slave trade in Belize.

Altun Ha Mayan Temple

The Altun Ha Mayan Temple is one of the most famous Mayan centres, founded around 900 BC, and perhaps a few centuries earlier. It is located in Belize, about 33 miles (53 km) from Belize City and the cruise ship terminal, and is approximately a 1-hour drive from the Cruise Ship Terminal. The site is not wheelchair accessible, and it is important to note that there are some uneven surfaces to negotiate.

The Altun Ha Mayan Temples were once hidden in the thick jungle, but have since been restored to their original splendour. The site covers six different sites, labelled A to F, but visitors generally only visit sites A and B. The ruins cover a little over 3 square miles, with the majority of the tour taking place across an area the size of a few football fields, with four buildings surrounding a square.

At the site, there are 13 structures that surround two plazas and a 60-foot Temple of the Sun God. Visitors can climb up the steps to the tops of three main temples for panoramic views and photo opportunities of the surrounding countryside. The temples are not crowded, and the views from the top are awe-inspiring. The climb to the top of the tallest temple, The Temple of the Masonry Altars, involves narrow and uneven stairs, so appropriate footwear is recommended.

The city was a major trading and religious centre, with the largest jade object found to date—a 4.42 kg carved jade head—discovered in the Sun God Temple. The site is also known for its focus on the numbers 7 and 13, with bloodletting ceremonies involving 13 wives of the Sun God and his 7 sons buried in the ceremonial temple.

The Altun Ha Mayan Temples make for a great family-oriented activity, with smooth, manicured grass and paths, and no steep hills or sudden drop-offs. The site is also perfect for young children as it is easy to climb to the main temples. Visitors can also purchase local handmade crafts and enjoy a delicious Belizean lunch, including rice and beans cooked in coconut milk, chicken stew, fried plantains, and coleslaw.

Xunantunich Mayan Ruins

Xunantunich is an ancient Maya archaeological site in western Belize, about 70 miles (110 km) west of Belize City, in the Cayo District. The site is located atop a ridge above the Mopan River, within sight of the Guatemala border. The name Xunantunich means "Maiden of the Rock" or "Stone Woman" in the Maya languages Mopan and Yucatec.

Xunantunich served as a Maya civic ceremonial centre to the Belize Valley region in the Late and Terminal Classic periods. During this time, nearly 200,000 people lived in the Belize Valley. The core of the city covers about one square mile (2.6 km2), consisting of six plazas surrounded by over 26 temples and palaces. The site is divided into four sections, with Group A being the most central and significant. The most well-known structure within the site is the pyramid "El Castillo", the second tallest structure in Belize.

Xunantunich was first explored in the 1890s by Thomas Gann, a British medical officer. The site has since been excavated by noted archaeologists such as Teobert Maler, Sylvanus Morley, and Eric Thompson. Continuous excavations and restorations have been ongoing since 1990 by the University of California under the direction of Dr Richard Leventhal.

The site is easily accessible from the Western Highway, less than one mile from the surging rapids of the Mopan River. Visitors can take a small hand-cranked ferry across the river to reach the site, which is suitable for hiking for those in excellent physical condition. The reserve has restrooms, picnic areas, and gift shops, and accommodation is available in nearby towns.

Lamanai Mayan Ruins

The Lamanai Mayan Ruins are located in the Orange Walk District of Belize, along the west bank of the New River Lagoon. Covering around 384 hectares, it is the second-largest site in Belize. The archaeological site was once a major city of the Maya civilization and is known for its exceptionally long occupation, spanning three millennia from as early as 1500 BC to the 17th century AD.

The site gets its name from the Mayan term for "submerged crocodile", a reference to the crocodiles that live along the banks of the New River. Lamanai is unique among Mayan sites as it was not abandoned at the end of the 10th century AD and remained occupied through the Spanish and British Colonial periods.

The site boasts three main temples: the Jaguar Temple, the Mask Temple, and the High Temple. The Jaguar Temple, built around 200 BC, features two massive limestone heads on either side, believed to represent one of the early Mayan leaders. The Mask Temple is adorned by a 13-foot stone mask of a Mayan king. The High Temple, rising 108 feet into the sky, offers panoramic views of the surrounding jungle and the New River.

Getting to the Lamanai Ruins can be an adventure in itself. The journey typically involves a drive and a boat ride along the New River. The boat ride offers the opportunity to spot wildlife such as monkeys, tropical birds, and crocodiles.

The Lamanai Mayan Ruins provide a fascinating glimpse into the ancient Mayan civilization and their way of life. The site is a testament to the rich history and cultural heritage of Belize.

Belize Zoo

The Belize Zoo is located 29.8 miles (48 km) from the cruise port. It is a non-profit wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility, founded in 1983 by Sharon Matola, who was caring for a handful of wild animals that had been part of a natural history documentary. When filming was completed, she decided to start a zoo with the animals.

The zoo is home to over 150 animals, representing over 45 species, all native to Belize. The habitats designed for the animals reflect their natural settings, providing an immersive educational experience for visitors. The zoo is also accessible to persons with physical disabilities.

The zoo features a variety of mammals, including Belize's national animal, the Baird's tapir, and the five wildcat species found in the country: jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay, and jaguarundi. Other mammals include white-tailed deer, red brocket deer, collared peccaries, white-lipped peccaries, and Yucatan spider monkeys.

The zoo also has several species of parrots, owls, and raptors, as well as a wetland aviary. Reptiles at the zoo include American crocodiles, Morelet's crocodiles, boa constrictors, and green iguanas.

The Belize Zoo offers a unique opportunity to see Belize's diverse wildlife up close and learn more about the country's natural heritage. It is a great option for those interested in wildlife and conservation.

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